JCT is going to Six Flags!!!!

***ATTENTION Joy Community Teens & Friends***

We are going to SixFlags...
THIS SATURDAY, 7/15/12 and
Attending the MERCY ME CONCERT
Will Carpoor from the school - IF YOU RSVP (limited seats available)
Call/Text Jen for Details!!

Hope to see you there! :-)

~Jen Crues
314-803-2035

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 62

 In your experience with sibling rivalry, are you more often the aggressor, the victim, or the tattler?

 How do you keep someone from telling Mom or Dad? (Arm twisting? Bribery? Or some other threat?)

David Among the Philistines
http://www.biblegateway.com/
Read: 1 Samuel 27: 1-12
1. David escapes from Saul only to land in Achish’s lap. When has an escape plan of yours turned into a similar out of the frying pan into the fire escapade?
2. What good , if any, came out of this situation?
3. What are you getting away with right now that you fear someone might blow the whistle on?

Prayer
Make a commitment to God to do better about obeying His commandments.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 61

 What does it take to rouse you from a deep sleep?

 When do you get the most homesick?

David Again Spares Saul’s Life

Read: 1 Samuel 26: 1-25
1. Why has the Lord delivered Saul twice to David?
2. When David and Saul confer this time, what is David most concerned to protect?
a. His innocence?
b. His inheritance?
c. His faithfulness to God?
d. To the Lord’s anointed?
e. His own life?
f. A place in Israel to properly worship the Lord?

Prayer
Ask God to help you not to be temped to take matters into your own hands, but let Him act for you.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 60

 When did you most recently give someone what was coming to him or her?

 How do you act when you don’t get what is rightfully yours?

David, Nabal, and Abigail The Rest of The Story.

Read: 1 Samuel 25: 26-44

1. What happens to Nabal in verses 36-38?

2. How does David see Nabal’s death?
o God always gets his man?
o He laughs last, laughs best?
o Finders keepers, loses weepers?
o Patience is rewarded?
o Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy?

3. How does David remember Abigal? (verses 31 and 39)

Prayer
Ask God to help you to do good to those who have done wrong to you. (Repay evil with Goodness)

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 59

 What holiday to you celebrate, with enough food to feed a whole army?

 What is your favorite holiday meal?

David, Nabal, and Abigail.

Read: 1 Samuel 25: 1-25
1. What do Nabal and Saul have in common?
2. Why does David respond so violently?

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 58

Where is your favorite hide out in your neighborhood?


David Spares Saul’s Life.
Read: 1 Samuel 24: 1-22

1. Why didn’t David take Saul’s life when he had the chance?
o He was afraid.
o He felt sorry for Saul.
o He respected Saul.
o He felt it wasn’t his right.

2. From what you know about Saul, what do you make of his exchange with David?
o It was insincere.
o He was speaking the truth.
o His remorse was real.

Prayer
Ask God to help you follow David’s example of returning good for evil.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 57

If you could ask God one Yes/No question regarding you future, what would it be?


David Saves Keilah---Saul Pursues David.

Read: 1 Samuel 23: 1-29

1. Why is Saul pleased to hear that David is in Keilah? (verse 7-8)
2. What do you learn about God from the responses to David? (verses 9-12)
3. Is this a casual cat-mouse game or something far more deadly? (verses 22-29)

Prayer
Ask God to help you through a tough situation that you may be facing right now.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 56

o What would you find toughest to do and why?

a) Testify against someone if you knew your witness would bring his death?
b) Testify for someone if you knew it would bring your own death?
c) Carry out the death sentence?

Saul Kills the Priest of Nob
Read: 1 Samuel 22: 6-23

Prayer
Ask God to help you get over any hateful grudges, or stepping on someone to get ahead.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 55

 Have you ever visited a cave? Where? What was it like?


David at Adullam and Mizpah

Read: 1 Samuel 22: 1-5

1. In what area of your life are you waiting to learn what God will do for you?

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 54

 What disguise have you worn at a costume party?


David Goes to Nob and Gath

Read: 1 Samuel 21: 1-14
1. What was so special about David getting Goliath’s sword?
2. Why does David feel it is necessary to act like a mad man?
3. What does he do to the door of the gate?

Prayer
Ask God to help you face your fears, so you don’t have to hide behind a mask.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 53

 Who was your first best friend?

 What life saving factor has a friend done for you lately?

David and Jonathan

Description:
King Saul is jealous of David and has attempted to kill him. David turns to his best friend Jonathan, Saul’s son for help.

Read: 1 Samuel 20: 1-42
1. What was Jonathan risking in helping David?
o His life.
o His father’s love
o His future as king.
o His inheritance

2. What do you think was the hardest on Jonathan?
o Being caught between friend and father.
o Betraying his father.
o Saying good bye to David.
o Seeing his best friend hurting.

3. What do you think was the secret to the friendship of David and Jonathan?
o Common interests.
o Loyalty
o Warm affection.
o Trust
o The problems they went through together.

Prayer
Ask God to help you understand your parents and friend, when they are trying to help you and having your best interest in mind.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 52

 When have you taken a stand for a friend at some risk to your own welfare? What happened?

 Have you ever snuck out of the house at night? What happened?

Saul Tries To Kill David

Read: 1 Samuel 19: 1-24

1. Why is Saul so eager to kill David?
2. Why do you think Jonathan seems to be more loyal to David than his own father?
3. What new insights do verses 11-17 give you into Michal’s friendship with David? With Saul? With God?

Prayer
Ask God to help you to be strong when the enemy is closing in on you and to submit to His will, not your own.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 51

 Think of a person who became a household word to you almost over night.
 When have you been most jealous of another’s success?

Saul’s Jealousy of David
Read: 1 Samuel 18:1-30

Description:
David is so successful and Saul is so insecure that Saul becomes jealous to the point of wanting David killed.

1. What do you think was the secret to David’s success?
o A humble spirit.
o Great courage.
o Faith in God.
o His friendship with Jonathan.
o God’s Spirit on him.
o Natural leadership skills.

2. What do you see as Saul’s worst problem?
o His jealousy.
o His torment by an evil spirit.
o His fear.
o Being separated from God.
o His temper.

Prayer
Ask God to help you not to be tempted to compare yourself to others and to submit yourself to His will.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 50

DAVID AND GOLIAH the rest of the story

• Growing up, whose hand me downs did you wear?
• Who's the tallest person you know?

Read: 1 Samuel 17:28-58

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 49

 How do you feel when someone casts doubt on your ability to do something?

 Do others have more confidence in you than you do yourself? Or do they have less?

DAVID AND GOLIATH

Read: 1 Samuel 17:1-27
Description:
The armies of Israel had drawn a battle line with the Philistines. Every day the 9 foot giant Goliath would come forward to defy the Israelites and challenge them to send someone forward to fight him.

1. What does Goliath’s armor and weaponry reveal about him? (verses 4-7)

2. How would you view Goliath’s proposal?
o With respect?
o Ridicule?
o Dismay and terror
o Faith and courage?

3. What motivated David to fight Goliath? (verses25-27)
4. What’s at stake for the victor? For Israel?

Prayer
Ask God to help fight the battle of the giants in your life?

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 48

 Who is your favorite singer or group?

 What is your favorite radio station?

DAVID IN SAUL’S SERVICE

Read: 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Description:
Just before this, the prophet Samuel informed Saul that , do to his disobedience, God was replacing him with (one better than you verse 15:28). Then he secretly anointed David as Israel’s next king. Amazingly, David comes to be in Saul’s service, as a musician and armor-bearer. Do you think it means that an evil

1. What do you think it means that “an evil spirit from the Lord” came upon Saul?
o God directed an evil spirit to afflict Saul.
o God allowed an evil spirit to afflict Saul.
o Saul was losing his mind
o Saul was filled with self pity and depression.
o God was working things out to open a door for David.

2. What lifts your spirits when you are down?
o Music?
o Food?
o A friend?
o Exercise?
o Other?

3. What is your primary talent?
4. How or where do you use them?
5. How can you use them in God’s service?

Prayer
Ask God to help you use your talents to help and serve others and Him. Ask Him to relief you of your problems, or what ever depresses you.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 47

 When playing a game and teams are being picked, how, long does it usually take for you to get chosen?

 How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

My next favorite Old Testament story.

SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID

(Anoint;-to pour oil on a person’s head, either for a physical benefit or in order to set apart someone for service to God.)

Read: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Description:
God had chosen a man named Saul to be king over the land of Israel, but when Saul continued to sin, God eventually was sorry He had made him king. So, God told His prophet Samuel to go and anoint another king. That other king would be David…that is if Samuel listened to God instead of following his own preconceived misconceptions about David. Check it out.

1. How did David’s own father seem to react at the possibility that David might be the chosen king of God?
2. What was the lesson God had for Samuel – and us – in verse 7?
3. What are some ways that you and I judge people based on their appearances?
4. What does it mean to look at the heart? And how is that important?
5. Why do you think God chooses the heart by which to judge someone?
6. What might have happened to the land of Israel had Samuel anointed the most handsome son of Jesse, instead of the best man for the job?
7. What happens to those around us when we judge them based on their looks instead of their hearts?
8. What will you have to change to make sure you avoid judging people in shallow ways?
Prayer
Pray about the people God is placing on our hearts right now. Ask Him to give you a heart to truly get to know them better and more deeply.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 46

 Who is someone you haven’t seen in a long time that you would like to see again?

 If you could be anyone for a day who would you be?

Joseph Makes Himself Known
Read Genesis 45:1-28
1. Why did Joseph wait so long to reveal his true identity to his brothers?
2. How does Joseph’s bombshell strike his brothers? (verses 3 and 14)
3. Has Joseph really forgiven his brothers?
4. Are His brothers convinced of their forgiveness?

Prayer
Ask God to help you to take the initiative to reach out in forgiveness like Joseph, in a strained relationship in your life.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 45

 What was something valuable you lost or miss placed?
 Did you ever find it?
 If not, did you replace it?
 What did it cost you to replace?

A Silver Cup in the Sack.

Read: Genesis 44:1-33
1. When accused of stealing by the steward, (verse 4-6) how do the brothers respond? (verse 7-9)
2. How do the brothers respond when the planted cup shows up in Benjamin’s sack?
3. How does Judah’s compelling speech bring Joseph to the breaking point?

Prayer
Ask God to give you the strength to reconcile with a family member or a (close or distant) friend.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 44

 What one fancy meal stands out in your memory? Why that one?
 If you had the choice, would you want to be the youngest or the oldest in the family?

The second journey to Egypt

Read: Genesis 43:1-34

1. Why do you think Joseph takes his brothers to his own house and has a meal with them?
2. What do the brothers think will happen there? (verse 18)
3. Why do you think Joseph chooses not to reveal himself to his brothers? (verse 29-30)
4. Why does Benjamin get more than anyone else?

Prayer
Ask God to help you to put the interest of others above your own interest.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 43

 What is the tenderest expression of love your father has ever shared with you?
 What is the longest time you have ever been separated from your family?
 What was memorable about your reunion?

Joseph’s brothers go to Egypt.

Read: Genesis 42:1-38
1. By forcing the brothers to endure all the things that they had forced Joseph to endure, is Joseph seeking
o Revenge?
o Repentance?
o Or what?

2. Why doesn’t Joseph reveal himself now?
3. How do you think Joseph feels as he talks to his brothers?

Prayer
When things seem hopeless, don’t forget God is there to help you.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 42

 If you were King or Queen for a day, what would you do?

 When have you ever helped to feel “I am somebody special”?


Joseph in charge of Egypt.

Read: Genesis 41:41-56

Description:
After Joseph has interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, Pharaoh decides to put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Joseph then travels throughout the land. There was an abundance of crops for seven years and has it stored up in the cities.

1. Has Joseph gone to far in taking on the ring, robes, chauffeured chariot, name change, native wife?
2. How will all this help him with his new role?

Prayer
Ask God to help you to forget your past troubles and to help mold your future character.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 41

 What do you do when you have a bad dream?

 Would you rather play first string on a losing team or second string on a winning team?

Description:
First, Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. He then came to be in charge of his master’s household in Egypt, until he was falsely accused of assaulting his master’s wife, which he was thrown into prison. While in prison, he accurately interpreted the dreams of two other inmates. (the cupbearer and the baker)

Read: Genesis 41:1-40
1. How would you feel if your were Joseph, in prison for 2 yearss?
2. What quality in Joseph’s life stands out the most?
   o patient, as he sat in prison
   o intimacy with God, as he interpreted dreams
   o humility, as he gave God the credit
   o diplomacy, in relating to people
   o wisdom, as he designed a solution for a problem
   o faithfulness, as he endured much suffering

3. Which of these qualities do you need or desire for youself?
4. When was a time you wondered if God had forgotten about you?
5. What have you found helpful when going through these tims?

Prayer
Ask God to give you patients, humility, diplomacy, wisdom, and faithfulness.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 40

 What believe it or not dream have you ever had?
 Which of these dreams illumine in the past?
 Which reveal the future?

Description:
Two servants of the king of Egypt, offended him and they were sent to Pharaoh for punishment. Each servant had a dream and wanted Joseph to interpret it. One servant even betrayed Joseph afterwards.

Read: Genesis 40:1-23
1. How does Joseph show concern for the cupbearer and the baker?
2. What strikes you the most about the 2 dreams, their interpretation or fulfillment?
3. Why might the cupbearer forget Joseph?
4. How might this make Joseph feel?

Prayer
Ask God to release you from what ever is making you feel imprisoned in your life?

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 39

When have you been accused of something you didn’t do?

Description:
As the story unfolds, the actions of Joseph’s brother, is just the beginning of much stress and crisis in his life

Read: Genesis 39:1-23
1. How was Joseph able to resist Potiphar’s wife?
2. How can the example of Joseph help you resist temptation in general?

3. In what way is your life like Joseph’s right now?
o I’m feeling imprisoned.
o I’m not sure what’s going to happen to me.
o I’m experiencing God’s blessing in my life.
o I’m in a difficult environment in school.
o I feel like I’m constantly facing temptation.

Prayer
Ask God to help you resist all temptations and to follow Joseph’s example.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 38

 Have you ever been picked on?
 Who stood up for you or recued you?
 Have you ever played a prank on someone? Did it go too far?

Description:
Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son was hated by his half brothers, because of the dreams he shared with them, which elevated him above the rest of the family. When an opportunity arises they take advantage of it and put him in harms way. Reuben starts to feel guilty and tries to rescue Joseph, but fails.

Read: Genesis 37:12-36
1. Why did the brothers end up selling Joseph, instead of killing him?
2. How do you think Joseph was feeling?
3. How do you respond when betrayed by friends or family?
4. What do others have that you may be jealous of?
• money and possessions
• good looks
• good friends
• good job
• close family
• talents
• accomplishments
• happiness
• other _________________

Prayer
Ask God to help you forgive family or others when they have done wrong against you and to ask for forgiveness from family or friends when you have hurt them.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 37

 What do you what to be when you graduate?
 How well do you get along with you brothers or sisters?

If you haven’t guessed it, we are going to read and study one of my favorite Bible Stories about Joseph.

Description:
Jacob had 12 sons, who would become the founding fathers of the 12 tribes of Israel. The 2 youngest were born to him by Rachel, Jacobs favorite wife, who died giving birth to Benjamin. This story, in rest of Genesis is about Joseph, Jacob’s 11th son and Rachel’s firstborn.

Read: Genesis 37:1-11
1. How do you feel about Joseph’s behavior?

2. If you had a bother like Joseph, what would you do?

3. Why do you think God gave Joseph these dreams?
o because he loved Joseph more than his brothers
o because Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son
o God was revealing the future to Joseph

Prayer
Ask God to help you not to be jealous of your siblings. Open your eyes, ears, and heart to God’s plans for your future.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 36

When Life Gets To Be a Burden

 When was your last bad day and what happened?
 How did you handle feeling what you felt?

Read: Matthew 11:28-30

1. What does Jesus say He will do for those that come to Him?
2. How did Jesus describe His yoke and His burden?

A yoke is a wooden beam, normally used between a pair of oxen or other animals to enable them to pull together on a load when working in pairs, as oxen.

3. What are some of the most common burdens we as young people bring to Jesus?
4. Do you ever have the urge to keep your burdens to yourself?
5. What is a burden you are carrying by yourself right now?
6. What will you do with your burden this week?

No matter how strong we are, or how mature our faith is, we all experience moments in life when our burdens seem to overcome us. It’s not necessarily an indication of weak faith or sin or punishment from God; sometimes, it can just be “life.” In those moments, we need to have a close enough relationship with Jesus that we can turn to Him for relief from our burdens.

Prayer
Ask Jesus to lift the weight (yoke) from you when life and worldly things get to be too much for you. That He will give you peace.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 35

What Do You Hear?

 What’s your favorite pet?
 How did this pet respond when it heard your voice?
 What do you think the voice of God sounds like?
 How can you tell when He’s speaking to you?

Read: John 10:1-30

1. Jesus compares His followers to which animal?
2. In verse 5, Jesus says His sheep will run away from a stranger’s voice because they do not recognize it. What do you think He was referring to?
3. Jesus also teaches in this passage that His sheep recognize His voice. Do you think that’s easy or difficult to do?
4. Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd in this passage. Do you think that has anything to do with His sheep listening to Him?
5. Some people in this passage didn’t understand Jesus’ words. What did He tell them was wrong with them? The answer is in verse 26.
6. According to verse 28, what does Jesus do for His sheep?
7. What makes it difficult to hear Jesus today?
8. What areas of your life does Jesus seem to be the quietest in, or say the least?
9. What do you think you can do to listen to God better?

We need to ask God to speak to us.. If this sounds silly, let me help you make sense of this important step. If you’ve got a boyfriend or girlfriend, don’t you want them to talk to you? Don’t you call them up or swing by their science class to chat with them as much as you can? You tell them over and over again that you love the sound of their voice and that you enjoy talking to them. Why wouldn’t God feel the same way? He wants to know that you want Him to speak to you. He wants to know that you love the sound of His voice. By the way, He’s given His life for you! Why wouldn’t He want to speak with you about the new direction He has planned for you?

Prayer
Tell God you ant a closer relationship. We do that by repenting of our sin, asking God to forgive us, and promising to follow Him the rest of our lives.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 34

Adopted by God


We’ve been adopted by God because of His love for us, and so we must now live our lives in a new way because of the new family we’re a part of.

 Think of two words that describe your family.
 Whom do you know who has been adopted?
 What do you think God thinks about adoption?

Read Ephesians 1:3-11

1. How does it make you feel knowing God chose us?
2. The Bible says that God has adopted us through Jesus Christ. From this passage, does it sound like God was reluctant to do that, or excited to do that? How do you know?
3. What was Jesus’ role in our adoption by God?
4. This passage describes God’s plan for his new family. What is it? (Hint: the answer is in verse 10.)
5. What do you think the “inheritance” is that God speaks of in verse 11?

Prayer
God has chosen us! Wow!! Thank you.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 33

Extreme Forgiveness


 What was one of the worst things one of your brothers or sisters ever did to you?
 How do you define forgiveness?

Read: Matthew 18:21-35

1. When asked, how many times did Jesus say we should forgive others?
2. Why do you think the servant who was originally forgiven didn’t show forgiveness to his fellow servant?
3. What is Jesus’ point in telling this story? In other words, what’s He trying to teach us? (The answer is in verse 35.)

4. How would the first servant’s life been different if he would have forgiven the second servant?

5. What usually keeps us from forgiving others?
6. How does having a relationship with Jesus affect our ability to forgive? Or, how does being a Christian affect our ability to forgive?

Prayer
Ask God, that you will have the courage to go and forgive others this week.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 32

To Cheat or Not to Cheat


 What’s your favorite subject at school?
 Do of you know someone who was busted of cheating?
 What are the motivations to cheat?
 Do you think most students cheat, or do you think most students do not cheat?

Read: Psalm 15:1-5
1. How could these characteristics/traits apply to our school lives?
2. We have all heard the expression “Cheaters only cheat themselves.” Do you believe this or not?
3. What if a person who is a follower of Christ cheats but DOES NOT get caught. Does he or she still do damage to the name of Jesus?
4. What are some very specific ways we as Christ’s followers can guarantee that we won’t cheat in school in any way?

This lesson from the Bible sheds some light on how we are supposed to act. We are told to “do what is right,” “honor the faithful followers of God” and “speak the truth” among other things. If we do, God says we can enjoy His presence.


Look, making good grades isn’t easy, and to tell you the truth, a lot of times, people who choose to cheat get away with it and they make better grades than those of us who choose to study instead of cheat. It doesn’t seem fair does it? But, God honors those who want to do life His way. Clearly, God would never allow cheating, so when we commit to being “academically pure,” God will honor that and help us.

Prayer
God, you and I both know that I could have cheated on this up coming test, but I want to honor You by staying academically pure. Please help me bring glory to your Name by helping me make a great grade on the up coming test in a way that pleases You.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 31

Reality Self Esteem Beauty

 Think of an actors/actresses you might consider ‘hot.’
 Do you think these people really look like the way they do on the big screen?
 How would you define ‘beauty’?

Read: 1 Peter 3:3-4

1. What does the verse tell us “don’t be concerned” with? What are some examples of how kids at your school become “concerned” with stuff like this?
2. Do you ever become concerned with this stuff?
3. What’s the downside to constantly being concerned about just outward beauty?
4. What does inner beauty look like? What positives come out of focusing on inner beauty?
5. How would focusing on inner beauty help us not get so hung up on outer beauty?
6. Think of a way that you could focus on your inner beauty instead of your outer beauty this week.

Prayer
Ask God to forgive your sins. If you’re willing to truly trust in Him, tell Him that you’re ready to turn away from the world’s obsession with outer beauty and focus on being like Christ..

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 30

Violence


The increase of violence shows the fact that we all have sinful natures that tempt us to do unimaginable things. As Christians, we are called to overcome our sinful natures and be peacemakers.


 Who’s your favorite cartoon characters?
 Were any of those cartoons violent? If so, do you think that impacted your view of violence?
 Do you think all of us have the potential to react in violent and physical ways? Why or why not?

Read: Matthew 26:47-52

1. This is at the end of Jesus’ life when He was betrayed and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Obviously His followers were scared and angry, and one of them, Peter, reacted in a fairly violent way. What would you have done when the soldiers came?
2. Do you think Peter’s sinful nature overcame his better judgment? Why or why not?
3. What was Peter trying to accomplish by reacting in violence?
4. What does Jesus mean when He says, “those who use the sword will die by the sword”?
5. What is our reward for being peacemakers? Read Mathew 5:9
“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”

Prayer
This is the prayer of St. Francis, I thought this would work well with this lesson. I hope you would copy it and keep it close.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon:
where there is doubt, faith ;
where there is despair, hope
where there is darkness, light
where there is sadness, joy
O divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 29

ANGER


What motivates you to live a good Life?

Read: Galatians 5:16-25

1. According to this passage, what is at the root of our bad behavior?
2. Does it initially feel good when we give into our sinful nature?
3. When we do, will there always be regret later? Why or why not?
4. According to the passage, what is one motivation for not following our sinful nature? (“Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”)
5. What counsel does Paul give us for fighting our flesh?
6. What are some specific ways we can fight our sinful nature and not end up with heavy regret and consequences?

Prayer
Pray that God will strengthen the power of the Holy Spirit in you when we go places we know are tempting or look at things we know are destructive, so we don’t feed our sinful nature..

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 28

When you fight with your sibling or others, what kind of fighter are you?

 Scrapper?
 Underdog?
 Top dog?
 Pit bull?

Nehemiah Helps The Poor
Open you Bible up to the book of Nehemiah. Before we read from chapter 5, (Read: 5:1-13) I need to give you a little background on what’s happened in the story. Nehemiah has gathered many of God’s people (the Israelites) to help rebuild the walls around the city of Jerusalem, because years earlier, it had been taken over by their enemies and destroyed.
As if the job of rebuilding an entire city wall wasn’t enough trouble, in the middle of the project, food becomes scarce, which meant it now costs even more money to eat. And on top of this, the king has put a high tax on the Israelites! A lot of the people working in Jerusalem were getting poorer and poorer, while the richer ones were taking advantage of the poor people and lending them money at HUGE interest rates. These people are hurting. Let’s find out what happens when Nehemiah hears of this scam.


1. Put yourself in Nehemiah’s shoes, and think about all the people he had to stand up to.
Think about that moment right before he started talking.

• What do you think was going through his mind?
• What would that have been like?

2. What is it that keeps people from speaking up at times like these?
3. t are the risks we take if we decide to stand up and speak up for what is right in tough situations?
4. What are the benefits to standing up against those who are unfair or brutal toward others?
5. What would this world be like if we all did this?

Prayer
Pray that you don’t just simply wait to see if someone else will stand up for what’s right. But as God’s child, you are called to speak out and bring what’s right into this world. We have to stand together and be like Nehemiah, taking risks by speaking up, even when it’s tough.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 27

Accountability is a big word. What is accountability? Why do I need it? Who can offer it to me? And, What does the Bible have to say about it? These are just a few of the questions we are going to learn the answer to, in today’s reading.


 Who do we usually go to for help?


Read: James 5:13-16
The Prayer of Faith


1. Why do you think James tells us to confess our sins to one another?
2. Do you agree with the old saying, “Confession is good for the soul”? Why or why not?
3. What kind of person do you look for in an accountability partner? Why?
4. Do you have an accountability partner? If so, why and if not, why not?

Prayer
Ask God to help us to get real about our struggles. and help us find somebody who is willing to be godly for our benefit. Finally, ask Him to help us to stay disciplined in our relationship to offer one another the best we’ve got.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 26

Have you ever helped a stranger in distress?

Read: Luke 10:25-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan.


1. If you were traveling down the road and saw this hurt man, what would you have done?
2. What grade would you give yourself over this last week for loving God wholeheartedly? For loving others?
3. What attitude or behavior does God want you to have that is most difficult to accept?
4. Who has been a Good Samaritan in your live?
5. How could you be a Good Samaritan to someone in need?


Prayer
Ask God to give you the strength and courage to help others in a time of need.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 25

o What is your favorite perfume or cologne?
o Who is the most affectionate person in your family?


Read: Luke 7:36-50
Jesus anointed by a sinful woman.

1. Who can you identify with the most in this story right now?
o The women- because I feel bad about my past
o The Pharisee-because I have a tendency to be judgmental
o Jesus- because hypocritical attitudes made me angry


2. What have you found to be the hardest thing about dealing with sin and failure?
o admitting it to myself
o asking for forgiveness
o receiving forgiveness
o feelings of guilt and shame

3. What is the most loving thing you have done for someone?
4. How was Jesus apart of it?
5. What have you learned from this story you could apply rest of this week?


Prayer
Ask Jesus for forgiveness, strength, wisdom, and guidance.

TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 24

o What would you rather be a movie director or a movie critic? Why?

o Where would you like to locate your dream home?

Read: Luke 6:37-45

Judging others and a tree and it’s fruit.

1. In the passages 41-45, how would you approach people who need help or correction?

2. What quality of fruit would your friends say you are producing?
a. Grade A-1? Why?
b. So-so? Why?
c. Wormy? Why?

3. What Jesus have to do to made it good?

4. During the last storm to hit your life, what did you learn about your foundation or faith?